Luka Doncic, a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, said he felt a mixture of “happiness and anger” about his trade from the Dallas Mavericks before scoring 45 points against his old team. He added, “Now it’s time to move on.” Doncic made the comments Wednesday in Dallas following his second performance with 40 or more points for the Lakers. The five-time All-NBA selection scored 31 of his 45 points in the first half of the Lakers’ 112-97 victory at American Airlines Center, the court where he played for six seasons before making his first appearance in a different jersey.
“After the game, I was feeling a little bit of both — happy and angry,” Doncic said to reporters. However, seeing some familiar faces was pleasant. I been here for a long time. Many different emotions were present.
I woke up feeling exhausted. didn’t sleep well. This game had me giddy with anticipation. I am grateful to the fans for their response to me.
Every feeling for Luka’s coming back to Dallas ❤️
Before Luka ever on the court with the Lakers, the Mavericks paid respect to him with a video.
April 9, 2025 📽️ pic.twitter.com/462QhwjDRC – ESPN
At American Airlines Center, about 21,000 fans flocked to see Doncic’s tearful comeback. Ten lead changes and ten ties occurred during the game. Doncic ended with four steals, six assists, and eight rebounds. Doncic started crying as the Mavericks’ tribute video played right before player introductions.
As he took the court, he was warmly greeted by fans who gave him a standing ovation.
Doncic scored 14 of the Lakers’ 26 points in the first quarter alone. In the second quarter, he added 17 more points to help the Lakers overcome a four-point deficit and take a 60-57 halftime lead. In the second half, the Lakers scored 52–40 more points than the Mavericks.
Doncic made seven out of ten shots from outside the arc and ten out of sixteen from the field.
LeBron James, a forward for the Lakers, scored 27 points, 19 of which came in the second half and 13 of which came in the fourth quarter. Austin Reaves, a guard, and forward Rui Hachimura each contributed 11 and 15 points.
Naji Marshall, a guard for Dallas, scored the most points with 23. In the transaction that brought Doncic to the Lakers, veteran forward Anthony Davis finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Doncic was cheered on by Mavericks supporters throughout the game. Even his old jersey was worn by many. Their backing did not, however, prevent them from jeering at general manager Nico Harrison, who has come under heavy fire for moving away the superstar.
Luka Doncic stayed focused on the game in spite of the tribute and the emotional comeback. Throughout the game, he and LeBron James demonstrated their synergy by combining for a string of clutch plays that kept the Mavericks’ defense on its heels. Following the game, Doncic embraced a number of his old teammates and spoke with Dallas head coach Jason Kidd, who served as a mentor to him in his early NBA career.
Doncic continued to think back on his time in Dallas during the news conference held after the game.
I have a lot of feelings for this city. I developed both as a player and as a person there. He declared, “I will always love the organization and the fans.” However, there are instances when change is required. Now that I’m in a new chapter, I’m welcoming it.
Analysts and Mavericks supporters are still split on the historic transaction. Many people think that losing a generational talent like Luka was a mistake that might plague the organization for years, even though some people recognize the team’s long-term rebuilding vision. Even though he was wearing purple and gold, cries of “Luka! Luka!” reverberated around the arena, which is uncommon for any former player to play against their previous team again.
The Doncic-LeBron combination is crucial to the Lakers’ chances of advancing far into the postseason as they are presently in the middle of the Western Conference playoff race. Doncic’s maturity and leadership were commended by head coach Darvin Ham, who described him as “an elite competitor who rises to the occasion.”
There are still unanswered concerns regarding the Mavericks’ team dynamic and future course. Despite being a force in the paint, Anthony Davis has not yet completely adapted to the Mavericks’ system. However, the front staff maintains that the team will eventually settle into a rhythm.
Doncic, meanwhile, took more than just a victory with him when he left Dallas. He departed with clarity, closure, and maybe even serenity.
“Emotions will always return here,” Luka remarked. However, I’m pleased with my performance. For them, and now for the Lakers, I gave it everything I had.
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